Contents

Creation

Hobbits first appeared in Tolkien's book The Hobbit, which at that time was not yet part of his older stories. When Tolkien, upon writing the sequel, moved its setting to Middle-earth, the Hobbits were incorporated into the Middle-earth mythology.

Appearance

Hobbits appear as small humans, between two and four foot tall. They have furry hair on the top of their feet and leathery soles, making shoes unnecessary. They also have slightly pointed ears. Male hobbits do not grow beards. Hobbits have a longer lifespan than humans, many hobbits reaching the age of 100.[1]

Life and Culture

Hobbits are a peaceful people and lead a simple, pre-industrial lifestyle. They live in the land which they call The Shire, and also in Breeland, both situated in Eriador in northwestern Middle-earth.

The traditional housing of Hobbits is the "hobbit-hole", or smial, which is made up of a long hallway with rooms on both sides, built into a hill. Late in the Third Age these were mostly replaced in favour of single-story houses above ground; only the richer classes and the poor kept living in the traditional smials. A notable feature of hobbit architecture are the round doors and windows.[1]